The morning sun cast a warm glow over the makeshift campsite. Bae was the first to stir, blinking against the light filtering through the trees. She glanced around to see her friends sprawled out, fast asleep.
"Haven, wake up," she whispered, shaking her lightly.
Haven, a notoriously light sleeper, woke up immediately. "Oh, hey... Good morning?" she mumbled, still half-asleep.
They quietly woke everyone up, including Asher, who was dead to the world until Hayden practically dragged him to his feet.
"Okay, let's just walk in the woods until we find the end of it," Sam suggested, brushing dirt off his jeans.
"You know, Sam, I never trusted you, and I still don't," Bae exclaimed, crossing her arms.
"Fine, then don't. ONLY people who trust me follow," he said defiantly.
Everyone else, including Haven, followed Sam. Bae huffed but fell in line behind them. "Seriously, Bae, c'mon. We don't have a choice," Haven whispered.
After what felt like hours, they emerged from the woods onto an unfamiliar highway.
"Where are we?" Hayden asked, looking around bewildered.
"I don't know," everyone shrugged, equally confused.
"Sunrise Highway," Elora said, reading the sign.
"Sunrise Highway?" Hayden repeated.
"It's about a kilometer from our school. If we walk a bit, we'll find some hotels," Elora explained.
"I used to work here," she continued, leading the way.
"Woah," Asher said, impressed.
"Follow me," she instructed. They trudged along the road until they reached a small cluster of buildings. Elora led them into a dingy alleyway and stopped in front of a shabby-looking hotel.
"THIS is where you worked?" Haven asked, her mouth hanging open.
"Yeah," Elora replied with a shrug.
Inside, Elora greeted the man at the front desk warmly. "Josh! Long time no see," she said. The others stood awkwardly, shifting from foot to foot.
After a brief conversation, Elora returned. "There are two rooms available for us," she said.
"For free?" Haven asked, incredulous.
"Yeah. Josh is a good friend, and I explained our situation," Elora explained.
The boys took one room, the girls the other. They all gathered in one room to discuss their next steps.
"So... where will we go?" Hayden questioned, breaking the silence.
"Well... I have an idea," Bae said hesitantly. "But it's kinda risky."
"Let's flee the country," she suggested.
"Bae has officially lost her mind," Sam exclaimed, rolling his eyes.
"Okay, let's say we consider that idea. We're seven people; we need money," Elora pointed out.
"Money? I'll handle that," Haven said, pulling out her wallet. Everyone gaped at the wad of cash she produced.
"Whoa, Haven, why do you carry so much cash?" Asher asked, eyes wide.
"This is normal for me," she replied casually. Her family was wealthy, with her dad being the CEO of a top IT company.
"Does anyone have any other ideas?" Elora asked, scanning the room. Silence.
"Fine, let's do this then," she said, resigned.
"What's the plan, Bae?" Sam asked, skeptical but curious.
"Unlike you, I do have a plan," she grinned. "Tomorrow, we'll check out early, go back to Sandberg City, sneak into our houses to get passports and anything else we need—"
"If our parents find out, we're getting arrested," Asher cut in.
"We'll go early. My parents are usually at work then, and I know the key is under the doormat. I can get in," Bae assured.
They all agreed, albeit nervously.
"Shall I book tickets? I'll ask Josh for help," Elora offered, since they had left her phone at the camp to avoid being tracked.
"The cheapest tickets to the cheapest country, please," Bae said with a grin.
"Wait, what about living? Where would we stay?" Hayden asked, concerned.
"I have no idea, but let's get out of here first," Bae said, determined.
"My older brother lives in Zelda. He goes to school in Faraway Isles," Haven added.
"Faraway Isles? The famous island school? That's pretty close to Emerley, where we live," Sam noted.
They booked the tickets and settled down to rest, nerves on edge but hopeful for the first time in days.
Back at the camp, Director Zion was in a fury.
"WHERE ARE THEY? HOW DID YOU ALLOW THIS?" Zion yelled at the two guards.
"W-we tried our best—"
YOU ARE READING
Runaways
Teen Fiction"Lets Runaway" Sam quietly suggested 7 teenagers get stuck into a dark scheme and try to escape it. Will they succeed? This is all a work of Fiction~ Based of on my imagination !! Under heavy editing !! Tw: Swearing ; Mentions of Drugs #10 comingsoo...
